Ronda Chervin received a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Fordham University and an MA in Religious Studies from Notre Dame Apostolic Institute. A widow, mother, and grandmother, she currently teaches philosophy at Holy Apostles College and Seminary in Cromwell, Connecticut. Write to her at chervinronda@gmail.com.

That the Mass is the central feature of the Catholic religion hardly needs to be said. During the Reformation (and always) the Mass has been the test. The word of the Reformers—“It is the Mass that matters”—was true. The long persecution of Catholics in England took the practical form of laws chiefly against saying Mass; for centuries the occupant of the English throne was obliged to manifest his Protestantism, not by a general denial of the whole system of Catholic dogma, but by a formal repudiation of the doctrine of Transubstantiation and of the Mass.
— Fr. Adrian Fortescue (d. 1923)

What you will read now is part of a series of 100 spiritual challenges. Each blog can be viewed separately, but for maximum benefit a reader needs to start with the introductory blog of November 18, 2011, and then continue step by step. Day One begins on Sunday, November 20, 2011.[ Click here for 100 STEPS ]

“Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.” Proverbs 17:9

Dr. Ronda’s examples: I realized that occasionally these hurts have been totally the fault of the friend, and I forgave them. But most often these hurts have come from my wanting desperately for someone to be something he or she couldn’t be given that person’s character. So I can forgive them for not being “perfect” but more importantly I need to choose friends more realistically. Or mingle with sadness when they fail me, that their virtues far outweigh what they can’t or won’t give me!

Your examples:

Prayer: Oh, dear Mother Mary, I am your spiritual daughter. Please whisper in my ear what I need to know so as to be less hurt unnecessarily. With those few friends who truly were gravely at fault in how they treated me, let me forgive them from the heart as you forgave all those who hurt you and Joseph and Jesus.

Read more blog entries by Dr. Ronda by visiting RONDAVIEW. Dr. Ronda Chervin has many free e-books and audios on her website rondachervin.com. If you go to her website and read or listen and then want to correspond with her she will be available. Her schedule does not permit, however, responding to comments on the Blog, though she enjoys reading them. Dr. Ronda’s newest project is spiritualityrunningtogod.com.

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